ꜰᴀʟʟᴏᴜᴛ (ᴅꜱᴍᴘ) (ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ)

𝖙𝖜𝖊𝖑𝖛𝖊

𝔇𝔢𝔭𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔢

Tubbo never went back to sleep after Ranboo's attack. He was overwhelmed with anxiety and nerves, along with a feeling he despised; guilt. Puffy and Ranboo laid beside one another, sleeping peacefully under the ocean of stars. Tubbo couldn't understand how Puffy was so calm, especially after what had just happened. Puffy's face was still scratched up, scratches which would certainly turn into scars in due time.

So, instead of sleeping, Tubbo laid awake under the night sky, as the which had been following him flew around overhead. Tubbo followed the lines of the stars, watching as they created waves in the deep sky. But this somewhat peaceful state of being did not last long.

Movement amongst the forest line could be heard from the campsite. Both Puffy and Ranboo had fallen into too deep of a sleep to realise what was going on, but Tubbo, wide awake and alert, was on guard instantly. The fire had burned down to red coals, and didn't provide much light. Tubbo was going to have to rely on his other senses if he had any intention of keeping himself and his friends safe. Scooping up the diamond sword from beside the campfire, Tubbo moved back to where Puffy and Ranboo slept. Standing in front of them protectively, the young boy did his best to scan the forest line, but the darkness did not lend him any help whatsoever.

It wasn't until a few minutes later after Tubbo had heard the noise that a shadowy figure appeared by the front trees of the forest line. "Who's there?" Tubbo shouted, wishing he had kept an eye on the fire and kept it alight. Now was no time for regret, though. He had to protect his friends; it was the least he could do considering he was the target for Ranboo's attack despite Puffy being hurt the worst. "Who is there?" Tubbo asked again.

The shadowy figure began to move closer to the campsite. They moved slowly, as though they were unsure of what they were doing. Tubbo held his sword out in front of his person, both hands clasping the hilt tightly. He had fought in wars and battles and been victorious standing with his friends by his side, but now he stood alone against this enemy. The young boy pushed his feelings of anxiety and worry down deep into the growing pit in his stomach, keeping his eyes locked on the figure. He would not let them hurt Puffy or Ranboo.

"Tubbo?" The figure, who turned out to be a man, continued to move closer. The second the man said Tubbo's name, the young boy knew immediately who it was.

"Sam!" He exclaimed, the sword slipping through his fingers and hitting the dirt. Stepping over the discarded weapon, Tubbo met Sam halfway, confused yet grateful that he was there. "I don't understand, you said you were staying on the SMP to keep Dream in line. What happened?"

"I decided it was more important to be here, with you guys. I can do more here than I could on the SMP," As he spoke, Sam kept scanning the area as though he was looking for someone. Tubbo knew what it felt like to believe you were being watched, and knew it would have been difficult to sneak away from the SMP. Tubbo didn't question it, Sam had a right to be jumpy.

"We're set up over here," Tubbo said, moving back towards the campsite. He picked up the fallen sword in passing. They two friends settled down besides the burnt out fire, Puffy and Ranboo still sleeping sounding beside each other. For the first time in a long time, Tubbo felt safe.

***

The journey to find land far enough away from the SMP and safe enough to set up shop continued, though the walk had turned silent after Sam had joined the crew. Puffy had taken to not speaking to Sam, obviously pissed about the fact that couldn't make up his mind if he wished to stay or go. She had whispered her frustrations to Ranboo, who had conveyed them on to Tubbo, though he did it carefully; the young enderling was being extremely cautious around the people he cared about after his latest incident.

Despite Puffy and Tubbo assuring him that he did no harm, the scratches on Puffy's face were beginning to heal into light scars. Ranboo apologized every moment he got, and kept his distance from the group whenever he could. He didn't hold a weapon anymore, as he feared the voice in his head could come out to play without Ranboo's knowledge, and it would do more harm than it already has.

As the darkness fell, Puffy and Tubbo began to set up camp. Sam tried to help wherever he could, but Puffy made it clear she didn't want his help. Ranboo did some miscellaneous chores around the campsite, doing whatever he could while being as far away from his friends as he could.

After dinner, Ranboo and Tubbo were sitting around the fire while Puffy and Sam stood a bit away from the campsite. Despite them not being close, the two youngsters could hear every word.

"I just don't understand why you decided now was the best time to leave!" Puffy exclaimed angrily, "You made yourself very clear that you would prefer to stay put and watch Dream then come with us and protect the kids!"

"Circumstances have changed and I am more useful here than I am on the SMP. Trust me, Puff, I'm doing everything I can to protect the boys". Sam spoke knowingly, firmly, but not unkindly. He chose his words carefully, making sure to not spill the beans on what took place the day before on the SMP.

"Circumstances have changed have they? And when did this happen? In the last twenty four hours? That's convenient," Puffy scoffed, not believing Sam for a second. He had to have another motive, Puffy kept thinking.

Puffy's questions kept coming, and Sam did everything he could to let her speak. But, it was becoming harder to say nothing and be accused of trying to hurt the boys and Puffy. Eventually, the creeper hybrid saw the best option as coming clean; it could have it's benefits, make them travel faster, cover more land. It might keep them safe, knowing the truth. So, that's what Sam did, came clean about it all.

By the time he was done explaining, the boys were well asleep, and Puffy was trying to process. She kept her composure, Sam had to give her points for that. Finally, Puffy agreed that the best course of action was to move on for several more days, keeping guard with their travels and always being alert. The two adults moved back towards the light of the campsite, watching over the youngsters with worry.

It was going to be a long journey before they were ever safe again.

****

(1155 words)

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